Page 133 of Beach Reads and Deadly Deeds

“And?” What was I supposed to say? She wanted to make Sherry angry or jealous so she’d do something to irritate Andrew, and I didn’t actually have a story I was telling.

“What’d you say to her?” Brie made a purposeful glance toward Sherry, so I followed her gaze and realized that Sherry was looking back at us.

“Oh, I said...” Then I whispered nonsense into Brie’s ear.

This whole farce seemed childish, as if we were gossiping behind Sherry’s back, and no way would she fall for it... except that her face reddened, and she clutched Andrew tighter.

Okay, maybe Brie did have a good idea.

“See?” Brie said.

“Yes.”

Suddenly Brie started laughing again, and this time Andrew turned around, a broad smile on his face. He stopped walking and waited for us to catch up. “Having fun?” he asked.

“Absolutely,” Brie said, moving into the narrow space between Andrew and Sherry. “You know, Dad, I’d love to go to that great fish restaurant on St. John before we leave. Where we went to celebrate my sixteenth birthday?”

“Sure, we still have a few days.”

“Mia, you have to join us,” Brie said. “That’s okay, Dad, right? Mia’s leaving on Tuesday.”

He hesitated a moment, and I wondered if he regretted asking me to steer clear of Brie. “Sure,” he said.

“Maybe it should just befamily,” Sherry said.

Brie shot her a look that Andrew couldn’t see, then said to her dad, “That’s a great idea, Sherry. Thanks for suggesting it. Just me and you, Dad. We have a lot to talk about before I go to college.”

“That’s not—” Sherry said, then cut herself off when she realized what Brie had done.

“I don’t want to think about you leaving just yet,” Andrew said, and kissed the top of Brie’s head. “It’s been you and me for a long time, kiddo.”

Brie discreetly winked at me.

Brie, Andrew, and Sherry went to a different section of the reef, and I stood with David because Doug was off in his own world with his camera. I couldn’t see the Kents anywhere. We chatted for a bit. David gave me some pointers, then he joined Doug, leaving me alone. I didn’t mind as I happily floated atop the reefs, looking at the colorful fish and interesting plants. The water was so amazingly clear and refreshing I could have stayed here all day, especially once I got the hang of breathing through the tube. I daydreamed about Jason, wondering if maybe we could come here alone before I left. I didn’t know the rules, but Jason liked to break rules, and this was one I would happilybreak—alone on an uninhabited island with the guy I lov—liked. Liked a whole lot.

I wasn’t so naive to think that there was a bright future for us, but I wanted to see him away from St. Claire, to find out if I still felt this tug in my heart. I didn’t reallyknowhim, though I knew quite a bit. The way he viewed life, both as something to fully live and recognizing that he was a small part of a bigger whole. He’d romanced me with both his words and his body.

I wanted to do it all over again.

Suddenly, I couldn’t get any air.

My tube was clogged or something, but I didn’t panic because I was literally swimming just below the surface. Yet when I tried to emerge from the water, something pushed me down. Now water flooded my snorkeling tube. I kicked away, jammed my toe against the reef. I finally surfaced, coughing and sputtering.

Sherry stood in the water, glaring at me.

“What the hell?” I said.

“I don’t know what you mean,” she said.

“You pushed me down!”

“You’re mistaken.” She made a point to look around. No one was nearby. No one had seen.

In a low voice, Sherry said, “Stay out of my way. I know exactly what you and that little brat are up to. It won’t work.”

“You reallyareinsecure.”

“You have me all wrong. I have more confidence in my little finger than you could ever have. Andrew ismine. We’re getting married. You and Brie will not stop it. He’s already irritated that Brie hasn’t welcomed me with open arms, and he thinks she’s being selfish. He has needs that only I can satisfy.”